Washer strip and method and apparatus for producing same



g 18, 1953 o. J. POUPITCH 2,649,125

WASHER STRIP AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SAME Filed Dec. 111948 2 Sheets-Sheet l I N VEN TOR.

d yam 1125 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 18, 1953 o. J. POUPITCH WASHER STRIPAND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SAME Filed Dec. 11, 1948 Z. 7 "HmW E w Z L 0 5 4 w F a w a Z 6 6 4 y 5 z 5 M W 5. wlllhlmvl W fi 4 W fl I1% IF .lil k z z r\ l Patented Aug. 18, 1953 WASHER STRIP AND METHOD ANDAPPA- RATUS FOR PRODUCING SAME Ougljesa Jules Poupitch,

to Illinois Tool Works,

tion of Illinois Chicago, Ill'., assignor Chicago, 111., a corpora-Application December 11, 1948, Serial No. 64,876

15 Claims.

This invention relates to a washer strip and to the method and apparatusfor producing the same.

It is an object of this invention to provide, as a new article ofmanufacture, a strip of washers wound or readily wound into a roll, andmore particularly to provide such a strip or roll of toothed lockwashers connected to a marginal band or bands by connecting tabs readilyseverable for individual use or application of the Washers.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method of, andapparatus for, making washers, particularly toothed lock washers, bywhich substantial savings in distribution and application of the washersmay be effected, and the expense of hardening, packaging, handling andapplying washers substantially reduced.

In my prior Patent 2,352,118, issued June 20, 1944, I disclosed awasteless washer strip in which the washers are connected each to eachby severable portions of limited cross section. That strip, whileeminently satisfactory, particularly in the case of the larger lockwashers, for sale, distribution and application in strip form, is notentirely satisfactory, particularly in the case of the smaller lockwashers, for sale, distribution and application in and from the rollform. I have found that it is diflicult once that strip has beenhardened to form it into a roll, and once formed into a roll to unwindthe strip, because of the tendency of the teeth of the washers to engageeach other and thereby interfere with the winding of the strip into aroll and to become entangled when formed into a roll. I have found thatthere is at times a tendency of the washers of that washer strip tobreak apart at the points of adjoining as the inner convolutions of aroll are formed, thereby breaking the continuity of the strip and also atendency for the washers to break apart at the points of adjoining asthe strip is unwound because of the entangling of the teeth of thewashers of one convolution with the teeth of the washers of theunderlying convolution, thereby breaking the continuity of feed of thestrip as it is unwound from the roll.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a stripof washers in such form that it may be readily wound into a roll forsale and distribution and readily unwound from the roll for use orapplication, and particularly for feeding to a point of application orto a device for assemblying washers of the strip with screws or likefasteners.

I have also found that While such wasteless strip of my prior patent iseminently satisfactory from the standpoint of manufacture in the case ofthe larger sizes of lock Washers, it is difiicult to manufacture in thesmaller sizes of lock washers, and impossible to manufacture in thesmallest sizes, by reason of the very small sizes of the pieces whichmust be removed from the strip, particularly in the case of the internaltooth lock washers, in order to form the strip.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a washerstrip of such construction as to be capable of ready manufacture in thecase of washers of the smaller and smallest sizes.

The present invention contemplates as an article of manufacture, awasher strip having a continuous marginal band or tape, and preferablyopposite marginal bands or tapes, to which the washers are secured inlongitudinally spaced relation by laterally extending, readily severableears or connecting tabs so that the strip is readily wound into a rolland unwound from the roll.

other and further objects and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig; l is a plan view, partly in section, and diagrammaticallyillustrating a method and apparatus for forming a strip of washersaccording to the present invention;

Fig. 2' is a fragmentary view in vertical section illustratingdiagrammatically the apparatus of Fig; I

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section taken along the line3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig; 4 is a view in perspective of a blanking and holding die;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view in horizontal section takensubstantiallyalong the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6' is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a washer strip embodyingthe invention;

Fig. 7' is a view in perspective of a roll wound from the strip of Fig.6;

Fig. 8' me plan View, partly in section, substantially as seen in thedirection of the arrows along the line 8'-8' of Figure 9, anddiagrammatically illustrating a method and apparatus for producingexternal toothed lock washers in strip form, according to thisinvention;

Fig. 9',is a fragmentary view in vertical section illustratingdiagrammatically the apparatus of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary View in vertical section taken substantiallyalong the line |lil0 o Fi 9;-

Fig. 11 is a view in perspective of a blanking and holding die formingpart of the apparatus of Figs. 8 and 9;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged view in horizontal section taken substantiallyalong the line l2-l2 Of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a strip embodyingexternal toothed lock washers according to this invention; and

Fig. 14 is a roll wound from the strip of Fig. 13.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a strip 2 of washer material, usually metal,is fed intermittently by any suitable or appropriate mechanism (notshown) to a die block 4 supported upon the feed plate of a conventionalpunch press (not shown). As the strip 2 passes over die block 3 it isoperated upon by a stamping die 63, a blanking and holding die 8, ascoring die or plunger 10, a tooth twisting die or plunger i2, and aplurality of positioning or pilot plungers l4, l6 and [8.

The dies and plungers to 18 may be mounted in any suitable known mannerin a die block or blocks 2s secured to a reciprocable plate or bracket22 connected in any suitable known manner to the ram or punch press foractuation thereby.

The stamping die 6 comprises a toothed or gear punch of complementaryshape in cross section to the internal configuration of the washers.Thus the spaces between the longitudinally extending splines or teeth ofthe plunger 6 form the internal teeth 24 of each washer 26, Fig. 6,while the teeth or splines form the cut out portions between theinternal teeth 24. In forming the internal configuration of the washersthe plunger t is received in an opening 28 in the die block :3, theblock i supporting the strip at all points except over the opening 28,which is of an internal diameter substantially equal to the externaldiameter of the plunger 6.

It should be understood that in the forming of strips of lock washers oflarger sizes than that shown in Fig. 6, Fig. 6 being on the order offour times the actual size, the central hole in the washer will beformed by a plunger whose external diameter is equal to the internaldiameter of the Washer between the internal teeth, and the toothedplunger 6 will function simply to form the teeth but will not be calledupon to also remove the center or disk formed by the inner edges of theteeth.

Pilot plungers M, 16 and i8 comprise cylinders or rods whose lower endportions are equal in diameter to the internal diameter of the washersand are longer than the plunger 6 and rounded at their lower ends so asto be received in the washer holes and accurately control and determinethe position of the strip with respect to the plunger 6, the dies 8 andis, and the tooth twisting die or plunger R2.

The tooth twisting die or plunger i2 is provided with an appropriatelyraised and relieved lower surface 39 cooperating with a complementaryraised and relieved surface 32 of an insert 3A in die block 4 to twistthe internal washer teeth 24 after formation thereof by the toothedplunger or gear punch 6.

' The stamping, or blanking and holding die 8, preferably comprises acylindrical block 35, Figs. 4 and 5, having an integral depending punch38 which is formed with opposite plane side edges 40 and 42 and circularrecesses or grooves M and 46 in the other side edges. These grooves 44and 46 are circular in form, the diameter of each groove being equal tothe diameter of the washer 26, but the angular extent of each of thesegrooves being less than 180 degrees so that the circular edges of thesegrooves form slightly less than one half of the external periphery ofeach of two adjacent washers. The circular walls of the grooves A l andG6 are connected with the opposite side surfaces 40 and 42 by planesurfaces Mi, 5G, 52 and 54, which are substantially normal to the sidesurfaces 40 and G2. The opposite surfaces 68, 52 and 50-5l are spacedapart a distance slightly less than the spacing between the centers ofthe washers 28 so that these surfaces of the die or punch 38 form theside edges 58, 58, 50 and 62 of adjacent tabs 64 on one side of thewashers and adjacent connecting tabs 68 on the other side of thewashers.

The die surfaces it and A2 are spaced apart a distance less than thewidth of the strip of material 2 from which the washer strip is formedso as to form opposite marginal bands or tapes 6B and Hi, the band 58being connected to each washer of the strip by the connecting tabs 64and the marginal band 10 being connected to the washers by theconnecting tabs 55. The die 3 also includes work holding plungers orcylinders '12 and i i slidably mounted in guide openings in thecylindrical block 35 and extending along the grooves ed and :36. Theseplungers are provided with enlarged head portions l6 and it which arereceived in circular openings 88 and 82 in the plate or bracket 22 andthe coil springs 2 and 555 are interposed between the heads '56 and l8of the plungers and the upper wall of the openings ac and $2 so as tonormally urge the plungers "E2 and l l downwardly to a position suchthat the lower edge of the plungers lie in advance or below the loweredge of the die or punch 38, as shown in Fig. 4. The plungers l2 and Mare hollow and have force fitted into them pilot plungers 3% and 9G. Thepilot plungers 88 and 9% are preferably rounded at the lower ends so asto project into the central holes of the washers and accurately positionthe adjacent openings with respect to the die block 33 and the holdingplungers l2 and "M. The hold down plungers l2 and iii are preferablyrelieved at the lower ends, as seen in Fig. 2, to accommodate thetwisted teeth of the washers 26 and engage the material of the strip ina ring around the base of the teeth so that as the die block 38 blanksout the material between the adjacent openings, the strip material inthe vicinity of the die punch 38 will not be twisted out of shape butwill be held by the plungers l2 and M in cooperation with the subjacentsurface of the die block i in a true plane. It should be noted that thepilot plungers .88 and 90 of the die 8 are received in suitable openings92 in the die block ill, and that the surface portions of the die blockabout these openings are relieved to accommodate the teeth 25 of thewashers.

t will be evident that on each operation, the die 8 completes theforming of one washer and one set of connecting tabs M and 66 and ofslightly less than one half of the external periphery of .the nextadjacent washer and the next adjacent set of connecting tabs 6% and 8%,while at the same time forming those portions of the side margins orbands 63 and 'lil which extend between adjacent connecting tabs.

From the die 8 each portion of the strip passes to the scoring die orplunger :0 which comprises a pilot plunger 9Q force fitted in a hollowrod or scoring punch 96 and projecting therebelow. The plunger 96 isformed at its lower end with a sharpened circular edge 98,

the internal diameter of which is equal to the external diameter of thewasher so that on downward, movement of the plunger the sharpened edge98 scores an arcuate line or slit Hit at the point where the tab 84joins the washer 26 and a like line or slit 102 at the point where thewasher joins the connecting tab 66.

The plunger 96 is formed at its upper end with an enlarged head Wereceived in an opening [88 in the plate or bracket 22 and urgeddownwardly by coil spring 483 interposed between the head HM and thebottom of the opening I88. The spring :88 is made sufficiently strong tocause the sharpened end 98 of the plunger 96 to penetrate or score thematerial to a predetermined depth but is not sufiiciently strong tocause it to penetrate entirely through the material so that the circularoutline of the washer is completed, yet the washer remains connected tothe strip. This permits subsequent, ready detachment of each washer fromthe connecting tabs 66 and 66 and assures the formation of a trulycircular periphery or external margin for each washer.

Thus, by the method and apparatus disclosed in Figs. 1 to 5, the strip 2will be formed into a washer strip having longitudinally spacedsuccessive washers 25 completed as to internal form and substantiallycompleted as to external form but left connected to opposite marginalbands or tapes 58 and 18 by connecting pieces or tabs 64 and 56 whichare scored at their point of connection to the external margin of eachwasher. A stripper plate 589, Fig. 2, secured in any convenient mannerto the stationary die block t and suitably apertured to receive the diepunches or plungers 8 to IE serves to assure the stripping of the strip2 from those die punches or plungers on each upward movement of thereciprocable plate or bracket 26.

From the forming dies the washer strip may be fed to a suitable windingmember Hi3, Fig. 7, by which the washer strip is formed into a roll i12, the marginal bands or tapes 68 and 18 facilitating the winding ofthe strip and the proper lapping over of one layer or convolution ofwashers over another, and the resiliency of these marginal bands servingby reason of their resilience radially of the roll to disentangle oneconvolution of washers from the underlying convolution of washers.

It should further be noted that the tabs 8Q, or the tabs 66, or bothsets of tabs, serve not only as readily severable means connecting thewashers to the side margins or bands 68. or it but also as feed lugsreadily engageable with a sprocket type feed wheel for feeding the stripfrom the roll for use or application or to an assembly mechanism forassembling screw elements or similar fasteners with the washers of thestrip. The strip either before or after winding into a roll, preferablybefore, is passed through the usual hardening and tempering process bywhich the washers, as well as the connectingtabs and the side margins orhands, are hardened and. tempered. Hardening of the strip has the.effect .of making the metal somewhat more. brittle and therefore morereadily fracturable or severable to detach the washers from the strip onuse or application or after assembly of the screws or like fastenerswith the washers.

Figs...8 to 12 illustrate. the modification of the method and apparatusfor forming the washer strip and WdShSI. roll of Figs. 18 .and 14 inwhich the washersare. of the externaltoothed type.

As shown in Fig. 8, the strip 202 of the strip stock block is fedintermittently over the die block 28 3. As the strip 202 passes over thedie block 234 it is operated upon by a stamping or punching die 286, astamping or blanking and holding die 288, a scoring die or plunger 2l0,a tooth twisting die or plunger 2l2, and a plurality of positioning orpilot plungers 2M, 2 i 6 and 218.

The dies or plungers 288 to 218 are mounted in any suitable known mannerin a die block. or blocks 22? secured to a reciprocable plate or bracket222 connected to the ram of the punch press.

The punch 286 is a cylindrical rod or pierce punch having an end of areduced external diameter equal to the internal diameter of the washer224. The stamping or combined blanking or holding die 29?; comprises acylindrical block 228 fixed in the die block 228 and formed with anintegral depending blanking die 228. The die block 228 is shaped toprovide opposite plane edges 23E: and 232. The other side surfaces ofthe die block are formed intermediately with grooves 234 and 238complementary in form to approximately one half of the externalconfiguration of the washer, these grooves each having spaced apartcircular surfaces between which are interposed relatively deep groovescomplementary in shape to the shape of the washer teeth 238. Adjacentthese grooves the side surfaces of the die block are relieved or beveledas at 248, 2:12, 244' and 2&5 so as to form the tapered side surfaces ofthe diametrically opposite teeth of each washer, the surfaces 2 -;8 and242 forming the right tapered side surfaces of the pair of diametricallyopposite teeth, while the surfaces 244 and 246 form the left taperedside surfaces of those diametrically opposite teeth. Beyond'the surfacesto 246 the said other side surfaces of the die block are formed withplane edges or surfaces 2-48, 252 and 25 i to form the sides of theconnecting tabs or lugs 258 and 258 by means of which the washers areintegrally connected respectively to the marginal bands or tapes 2&8 and232 of the washer strip, the surfaces 268 and 252 forming the oppositeedges of the connecting tabs 25% and the surfaces 258 and 254 formingthe opposite edges of the connecting tabs 258. The opposite plane edgesor surfaces 238 and 232 are spaced apart a distance sufficiently lessthan the Width of the material strip 282 so as to form the margins 264iand 282.

Holding plungers 2M and 266 are slidably mounted in suitable openings inthe cylindrical block 226 of the die 2% and are provided at their upperends with enlarged head portions 268 and 2% slidably received inapertures 212 and 214 in the reciprccable plate or bracket 222. Coilsprings'filt and iii; in the openings 212 and 274 are interposed betweenthe heads 268 and 27b and the upper ends of the openings and thereforenormally urge the holding plungers downwardly to a position where theyextend below the die block 228, as seen in Fig. 11. Hence these holdingplungers first engage the strip and retract into the openings 212 and27d as the punch press ram continues to descend and force the blankingdie block 228 through the strip. The holding rately position the stripfor the forming operation of the block 228. The holding plungers 264 and2% are preferably of an external diameter sub stantially equal to theexternal diameter of the ring portion of the washer so that they holdthe washer which is being completed by the surfaces 252, 244, 236, 246and 254 of the die block against twisting relative to the plane of thestrip and prevent buckling of the strip material as the right hand edgeof the next adjacent washer is being formed by the opposite surfaces ofthe die block 228.

After the washers have been formed by the die 208 they are presented tothe tooth twisting die or plunger 2I2, which may be of conventionalstructure, having an annular raised and relieved surface 284circumscribing a circular fiat surface 286. The die 212 cooperates withan insert 288 in the die block 240, which insert has at its uppersurface an annular raised and relieved surface 290 complementary to thesurface 284 of the die plunger and a circular fiat surface 292complementary to the like surface 286 of the tooth twisting die orplunger 2i2.

It should be noted that the raised and relieved annulus 284 of the toothtwisting plunger 212, and the complementary annular surface 290 of theinsert 288, perform a twisting action upon all the teeth of each washer,including the teeth which are connected by the tabs 256 and 258 to themarginal bands or tapes 260 and 262 of the washer strip. The twisting ofthese teeth which are joined to the connecting tabs serves to partiallysever the opposite side edges of these teeth from the connecting tabsbut they remain connected thereto by the central edge portions of eachsuch tooth.

From the tooth twisting die or plunger 212 with its complementary dieinsert 283, the strip passes to the scoring die or plunger 2H] whichcomprises a sleeve or plunger 2% slidably mounted in any suitable mannerin the block 226, and having enlarged head 296 received in an opening298 in the reciprocable plate or bracket 222. A coil spring 380 in theopening 298 normally urges the scoring plunger 29 downwardly withrespect to the reciprocating head. The scoring plunger is provided witha sharpened annular lower edge 302, the diameter of which is equal tothe external diameter of the washer so that it may perform a scoringaction,

scoring a circular defining edge for the diametrically opposite teethwhich are joined to the connecting tabs 258 and 258. The scoring plunger2% penetrates the material of the strip sufficiently to insure readyseverance of each washer from the connecting tabs and to insure that theteeth which were adjoined to those connecting tabs will have a circularform at their ends and substantially free of burrs or rough edges. Thestrips of externally toothed lock washers having thus been formed, thestrip may be fed to a winding member 364 by which the strip of washersis formed into a roll 305. The roll 306 may be formed before hardeningof the strip of washers, although it is preferred to subject the stripto the usual hardening and tempering process prior to rolling of it intothe roll 366. This hardening and tempering process, in the usual manner,has the effect of making the metal somewhat more brittle, which servesto enhance the ready fracturability or severability of the Washers from'the strip.

It will be evident that the connecting tabs 256 and the connecting tabs258 provide lugs or sprocket engaging portions by means of which thestrip may be readily unwound from the roll and fed to the point of useor application or an assembly mechanism by means of which screws or likefasteners may be assembled with the washers of the strip, and thereafterfed to suitable detaching or severing means by the operation of whichthe connecting tabs are severed along the arcuate scored lines formed bythe scoring plunger 294.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that applicant hasprovided, as a new article of manufacture, a strip of washers wound orreadily wound into a roll, and more particularly a strip or roll oftoothed lock washers connected to a marginal band or bands by connectingtabs readily severable for individual use on application of the washers;a method of, and apparatus for, making washers, particularly toothedlock washers, by which substantial savings in distribution andapplication of the washers may be effected, and the expense ofhardening, packaging, handling and applying washers substantiallyreduced; a strip of washers in such form that it may be readily woundinto a roll for sale and distribution and readily unwound from the rollfor use or application, and particularly for feeding to a point ofapplication or a device for assembling washers of the strip with screwsor like fasteners; and a washer strip of such construction as to becapable of ready manufacture in the case of washers of the smaller andsmallest sizes.

It will be obvious that changes may be made in the form, constructionand arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of theinvention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is herebyreserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of thefollowing claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A method of making washers comprising feeding a strip of Washer stocklongitudinally, removing from predeterminedly spaced areas of the strippieces of material to form the washer openings, thereafter holding thewasher portions against deformation and removing from said strip betweensaid openings other discrete pieces of material of a width less than thewidth of the strip stock and shaped to form substantially half theexternal outlines of adjacent washers formed by said openings and theopposite sides of connecting areas of limited size joining each washerto a common band of strip stock left by the removal of said discretepieces of less width than the stock, and scoring the completed outlinesof the washers across the tabs.

2. A method of making toothed lock washers comprising feeding a strip ofwasher stock longitudinally, removing from predeterminedly spaced areasof the strip pieces of material to form the washer openings, thereafterholding the washer portions against deformation and removing from saidstrip between said openings other discrete pieces of material of a widthless than the width of the strip stock and shaped to form substantiallyhalf the external outlines of adjacent washers formed by said openingsand the opposite sides of connecting areas of limited size joining eachwasher to a common band of strip stock 7 tudinally, removing frompredeterminedly spaced areas of the strip pieces of material to form thewasher openings, holding the washer portions of said strip againstdeformation while removing from said strip between said openings otherdiscrete pieces of material of a width less'than the width of the stripstock and shaped to form substantially half the external outlines ofadjacent washers formed by said openings and the opposite sides ofconnecting tabs of limited size joining the washers to a marginal bandof strip stock left by the removal of said discrete pieces of less Widththan the stock, forming radially extending teeth concurrently with oneof the piece removing steps, twisting the teeth of the washers, andscoring the connecting tabs at points of joining to the washer tocomplete the external form of the washers.

4. In a machine for making washers from strip stock fed successively toa plurality of forming stations, means at one of said stations forsuccessively removing from the stock pieces of waste material in formcomplementary to the internal form of the washers, means at anotherstation for removing from the stock between adjacent openings formed inthe stock by the first means, pieces of waste material in formcorresponding to the opposite substantially half portions of theexternal outline of the washers, said second removing means being soconstructed as to leave the washers joined to a common marginal band ofthe strip stock by connecting tabs of limited size, and means at a thirdstation for scoring the strip stock across the connecting tabs alongarcuate lines of a radius equal to the external radius of the washers.

5. A machine for making a strip of internally toothed lock washers fromstrip stock fed successively to a plurality of forming stations, meansat one of said stations for successively removing from the stock piecesof waste material in form complementary to the internal tooth shape ofthe washers, means at another of said stations for removing from betweenadjacent openings formed in the stock by the first means, pieces ofWaste material of less width than the stock and substantially halfcircular outlines of adjacent washers formed about the said openings andconnecting tabs of limited size joining washers to a marginal band.

6. A machine for making externally toothed lock washers from a strip ofwasher stock fed longitudinally to a plurality of forming stations,means at the first station for successively removing from the stripstock disks of a diameter equal to the internal diameter of the washers,and at a second station means for holding the washer portions of saidstock against deformation and means for successively removing from thestrip stock between adjacent openings formed at the first station piecesof waste material of a width less than the strip stock and of a shapecomplementary to substantially one-half the external toothed outlines ofthe washers with connecting tabs of limited size joining teeth of thewashers to a marginal band, and a plurality of means for indexing saidstrip of stock at spaced points to insure proper registration of theremoving means with said strip.

7. A machine for making a strip of internally toothed lock washers fromstrip stock fed successively to a plurality of forming stations, meansat one of said stations for successively removing from the stock piecesof waste material in form complementary to the internal tooth shape ofthe washers, means at another of said stations for removing from betweenadjacent openings formed in the stock by the first means, pieces ofwaste material of less width than the stock and substantially halfcircular outlines of adjacent washers formed about the said openings andconnecting tabs of limited size joining washers to a marginal band, andmeans at a third station for scoring across the connecting tabs arcuatelines completing the external circular outline of the washer across theconnecting tabs.

8. A machine for making externally toothed lock washers from a strip ofwasher stock fed longitudinally to a plurality of forming stations,means at the first station for successively removing from the stripstock disks of a diameter equal to the internaldiameter of the washers,means at a second station for successively removing from the strip stockbetween adjacent openings formed at the first station pieces of wastematerial of a width less than the strip stock and of a shapecomplementary to substantially one-half the external toothed outlines ofthe washerswith connecting tabs of limited size joining teeth of thewashers to a marginal band, and means at a third station for scoringacross the connecting tabs arcuate lines completing the outline of theteeth which are joined by the tabs to the marginal band.

9. In a machine for making washers in strip form from strip stock fedsuccessively along a stationary die block base, a reciprocable 'dieblock movable toward and from the stationary block along which the stripstock is fed, a plurality of stamping dies carried by said reciprocabledie block, one of said dies comprising a punch or" a shape complementaryto the internal outlines of the washers,-a second of said stamping diescomprising a die punch and a pair of resiliently mounted hold downpunches adjacent thereto, said last mentioned die punch being of a widthless than the strip stock and of a shape to form the opposite, slightlyless than half portions of the external outlines of the washers and theopposite side edges of connecting tabs of limited size joining thewashers to the marginal band left unremoved by said die punch.

10. In a machine for making washers in strip form from strip stock fedsuccessively along a stationary die block base, a reciprocable die blockmovable toward and from the stationary block along which the strip stockis fed, a plurality of stamping dies carried by said reciprocable dieblock, one of said dies comprising a punch of a shape complementary tothe internal outlines of the washers, a second of said stamping diescomprising a die punch and a pair of resiliently mounted hold downpunches adjacent thereto, said last mentioned die punch being of a widthless than the strip stock and of a shape to form the opposite, slightlyless than half portions of the external outlines of the washers and theopposite side edges of connecting tabs of limited size joining thewashers to the marginal band left unremoved by said die punch, and ascoring plunger having a sharpened lower edge of a diametersubstantially equal to the external diameter of of the washers.

11. A machine for making a strip of toothed lock washers from stripstock fed successively to a plurality of forming stations, means at oneof said stations for successively removing from the stock pieces ofwaste material in form complementary to the internal aperture shape ofthe Washers, and at another of said stations means for holding thewasher portions of said stock against deformation and means for removingfrom between adjacent apertures formed in the stock by the first means,pieces of waste material of less width than the stock and complementaryto substantially half the external outlines of adjacent washers formedabout the said apertures and connecting tabs of limited size joiningwashers to a marginal band.

12. A machine for making a strip of toothed lock washers from stripstock fed successively to a plurality of forming stations, means at oneof said stations for successively removing from the stock pieces ofWaste material in form complementary to the internal aperture shape ofthe washers, means cooperable with the apertures so formed for indexingsaid strip stock, and at another of said stations means for holding thewasher portions of said stock against deformation and means for removingfrom between adjacent apertures formed in the stock by the first means,pieces of waste material of less width than the stock and complementaryto substantially half the external outlines of adjacent washers formedabout the said apertures and connecting tabs of limited size joiningwashers to a marginal band.

13. As an article of manufacture, a strip of washers comprisingtransversely spaced marginal ribbons each having tabs projectinginwardly therefrom at longitudinally spaced intervals with the remainingedge portions of each ribbon and. the space therebetween being entirelyfree of waste strip stock material to enhance the flexibility of thestrip, and a plurality of washers spaced longitudinally between theribbons substantially in accordance with the spacing of said tabs witheach said washer joined to a single tab from each ribbon by a weakenedsection substantially coincident with the adjacent edge of the washerand with the remaining periphery of each washer between the pair ofsupporting tabs entirely free of strip stock material to facilitateflexing of the strip and each tab being of such length as to space theadjacent periphery of the supported washer from the inner edge of eachribbon.

14. As an article of manufacture, a strip of washers as claimed in claim13, wherein the washer is provided with external teeth and the tabs formsubstantial continuations of adjacent teeth.

15. As an article of manufacture, a strip of washers as claimed in claim13, wherein the Washer is provided with internal teeth and the weakenedsection of the tabs is substantially coincident with the edge of theexternal periphery of the washer.

OUGLJESA JULES POUPITCI-I.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 658,598 Stevens et al Sept. 25, 1900 1,793,099 Kuehner Feb.17, 1931 1,885,116 Kuehner Nov. 1, 1932 1,915,612 Olson June 27, 19332,188,310 Price Jan. 30, 1940 2,266,555 Jordon et a1 Dec. 16, 19412,284,676 Nielsen June 2, 1942 2,352,118 Poupitch June 20, 19442,390,121 Poupitch Dec. 4, 1945 2,440,254 Dodson Apr. 27, 1948

